Battle of the NationsMay 8-12 2013, Aigues-Mortes, France

In just a few days I will be heading off the France with the second American team ever to compete in the Battle of the Nations, held this year in Aigues-Mortes, France.

We are very proud of our team this year. Our veterans have worked very, very hard at losing weight and gaining muscle and endurance, and out team leadership has worked hard at coming up with new strategies and tactics. We have a full compliment of 50fithers this year, so most of us will only have to fight in one or two categories (singles combats, 5-on-5, 21-on-21, and 50-on-50.

Though most of our team, again, is made up of SCA folks (a great percentage of whom are knights, dukes, etc) among our team are also a former NFL football player and an international jouster.

We are looking forward to representing our country once again, proving our mettle against the best in the world. 22 nations, including Japan, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Quebec, and a whole bunch of European countries will be taking part, almost double what was there last year. The match ups for the opening rounds have been decided and last minute arrangements are being made all around the world.

There will be a live streaming broadcast again this year. I will post the link as soon as I know it.

And here is a highlight video from our last national practice/tryouts in Springfield, Il:

BTW, yest, Team USA is always looking for new members for next year, and the regional groups of the parent organization, the Armored Combat League is holding public events around the country all year long.

Highlight videos

Here are a couple o highlight videos I put together of Team USA at the Battle of the Nations. We came in fourth out of 22 (or possibly 3rd, depending upon your interpretation of the rules), behind only the powerhouse of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. We made a statement and painted a target on our chests. Full report to follow.

Here is a full match between Jaye Brooks and a German fighter. This match was controversial because some people thought that Jaye should have won, but the marshals scored the match for the German. What do you think?

Here is a full match between Jaye Brooks and a German fighter. This match was controversial because some people thought that Jaye should have won, but the marshals scored the match for the German. What do you think?

Zorikh, the results of that match are still among the favorite stories of BoN that I tell my friends. To give some context without giving away the ending, every national team was allowed three appeals for the entire tournament, which they could use to contest the judgment of the on-field marshalls. The senior marshalls would review the tape, and either uphold or overturn the ruling on the field.